Legislator calls for stricter keg regulations

By Hanna LoPatin

Daily Staff Reporter

State legislation may soon require liquor stores to obtain more information from customers when they purchase a keg of beer, in an attempt to reduce underage drinking by the state House.

A customer's name, address, telephone number and driver's license number would all be required according to the bill, which was introduced by Rep. Sandy Caul (R-Mt. Pleasant) yesterday.

The information would be used to make two identification tags: One that would remain on the keg and one with the retailer.

Customers would also have to make known where the party is being held and where the keg will be stored if its entirety is not consumed.

Campus Corner owner Gus Batwo said his store already keeps records of people who buy kegs, but it does not follow the exact procedure the bill proposes.

"For one reason, we keep the record if something happens in the future, we make sure who sold the keg," he said.

"Lots of people steal the keg or the tap," Batwo said.

In-N-Out owner Jimmy Elia said his store does not require anything besides valid identification. Most people are in a rush to have a party, he said.

"It's a waste of time and paperwork right now," Elia said.

For large purchases, however, In-N-Out does require a form to be filled out.

While Elia said he doesn't think the bill could necessarily curb underage drinking, it will provide protection for liquor store owners.

"It will be better to protect us store owners from getting in any kind of trouble," he said. "I believe that will work out."

Mike Cofojohn, a night manager at Keg 534 in Ypsilanti, said although the store requires some information to keep track of kegs, the bill would be "ridiculous."

"Why is it any of our business?" he asked. "As long as you're 21, you can do whatever you want to do with it - as long as you don't go driving afterwards."

Caul, who also serves as chair of the House Higher Education budget subcommittee, said working with college issues inspired her to draft the bill.

"A number of parents told me that their greatest concern about sending their kids off to college was the drinking," she said.

Caul said that the bill will cause keg purchasers to be responsible for letting people under 21 into their parties.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.